Electrical switch.



A. H. KLING & B. D. HORTON.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JU'LY11,1911.

1,022,629, Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

3 SHEETS/*SHEET 1.

A. H. KLING & B. D.- HORTON.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED 1ULY11,1911.

1,Q22,629. Patented Apr. 9 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Jag/3 A. H. KLING & B. D. HORTON.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY11,1911.

1,022,629, Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

m 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALPHA H. KLING AND BRYSON D. HORTON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TO DETROIT FUSE & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPO- RATION OF MICHIGAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ALPHA H. KLING and BRYsoN D. Hou'roN, citizens of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Switches, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to electrical switches and has for an object the paralleling 0f fuses, particularly during brief periods of overload.

The improvement is especially adapted for use in taking care of the overload when starting electrical apparatus and particularly three-phase motors. When the improvement is employed for closing a threephase circuit an auxiliary switch will be provided for paralleling each fuse of the main switch and shunting the fuses to preventthe fuses being blown by the overload incident to starting. To assure success in this connection the auxiliary switches will be placed in parallel relation to the main switches prior to the latter being shifted into circuit-closing position and the auxiliary switches be automatically disconnected from the main switches upon the release of the actuator for the auxiliary switches.

In the form illustrated the auxiliary switch is manually held against the resistance of a spring during the starting of the motor and' will be released at the discretion of the operator.

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification 'an illustrativc form of our invention is shown embodied in a three-phase motor starter.

Figure 1 of such drawing is a central, longitudinal section. The plane on which such section is taken is illustrated by the lines 1-1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on a plane at about the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and Figs. 3, 4, 5 are diagrammatic views, shown somewhat in the nature of cross-sections, looking at the device from a direction opposite the direction of view of Fig. 2. In these diagrams Fig. 3 shows the main switch and the auxiliary switch in the starting position. Fig. 4 shows the switches in the running position. Fig. 5 shows the switches and the operating lever in the off or open position; and Fig. 6 is a diagram of the starter base and a three-phase motor.

The contacting portions of the mechanism are shown inclosed in a box having a bottom 10, and a cover 11, hinged at one side to the back 12, of the box, and at the other side being engaged by clamping means carried by the front 13, of the box. In the present showing the box constitutes the supporting framework for the various portions of the mechanism. There are shown three porce lain switch bases 14:, mounted on the bottom 10 of the box. Each of these switch bases carries a pair of switch jaws 15 and 16, and binding screws 17 18, respectively, connected therewith. The switch jaws 15, 16, constitute the line contacts or the terminals of the circuit wires to be opened and closed by the main switch.f The main switch for each base comprises pair of switch blades having ends 19, 20, for contacting with the jaws 15, 16, respectively, and ends 21. 22, for contacting with the switch jaws 23, 24, of the auxiliary switch. The switch blades are mounted on insulation bars 25, and are provided with fuse-holding clips 26, 27 so that a fuse 28, may complete the circuit between the switch blades. The insulation bars or Spreaders 25 of the main switch are mounted upon a framework composed of longitudinal bars 29, and cross-bars 30. The frame is mounted in the casing for move ment toward and from the bases for shifting the switches into and out of circuit-closing position. The top plate 11 is provided with bosses 31, for guiding rods 82, which are securely fastened to the cross-bars 30. The bars 32 are connected by means of an actuating yoke 33.

In the present improvement it is intended that the main switch shall remain in either of two positions and be maintained in such positions, the positions being that of fullyopen and fullyclosed, and it is further intended that the main switch shall be positively moved from each of its normal positions into the other position. This intendment, however, will not prevent the use of some means, as for instance, springs, to complete the movement of the switch into either of its idle positions after the inauguration of its movement toward such position.

The mechanism herein illustrated embodies the feature of providing means for preventing the opening or closing of the switch box while the switch is in its closed position.

Means are provided for preventthrough which the rod 32 reciprocates.

ingthe opening of the box while the switch is closed and preventing the closing of the box except when the switch is moved to its The plunger and cylinder are for the purpose of preventing the opening and closing of the cover of the casing except atsuch time as the frame carrying the main switch is retracted to its idle osition.

A groove 88, is provided between the nut 35 and the head of the plunger 36 for receiving the forked ends of spring hinge members 39. The outer ends of the spring hinge members are seated in openings in the spring 40. The normal relation of the members 39 with the associated parts is such that the greatest tension will be exerted upon the spring 40 when the main switchcarrying frame is in its intermediate position, the tendency of the spring and the hinge members being to assure the movement of the main switches to the full-open and the full-closed positions after the inauguration of such movement or to return the main switches to their proper positions upon a slight unseating movement. The

spring 40 is shown secured to the top plate 11 and provided with a central opening For receiving the shock of the upward movement a suitable bufier, as for instance, a leather washer 41, may be provided between thecross-bar 30 and the spring 40.

The respective pairs of jaws of the auxiliary switches are mounted upon insulating bars or spreaders 43, and are connected by means of a conducting bar 44. The bar 44 will have a large carrying capacity rela tively to the carrying capacity of the fuse 28. Each of the bars or Spreaders 43 is carried by means of a bar or plunger 45, which is mounted in and guided by bosses 46, in the top plate 11. The rods 45 are connected by an actuating yoke 47. Cornpression springs 48 are interposed between the yoke 4? and the top plate for normally holding the auxiliary switches in their idle position. The auxiliary switches are movable toward and from the base plates in a direction parallel with the movement of the interposed main switches. The insulation spreader bars 43 are provided with dowel pins or guide rods 49 at each end, which pass through guiding openings in the insulation spreader bars 25 for assuring paralleling movement which will assure the proper closing of the auxiliary switch with the main switch. The plungers 36 are shown chamfered at 50 for centering these plungers and assuring the proper positioning of the blades of the main switch relatively to the jaws on the base plates prior to the engagement between these members.

The purpose of this improvement, as was briefly set forth in the statement of the object of the invention, is to provide means for paralleling and shunting I the fusible element of a switch during brief periods of overload. This makes it possible to fuse three-phase motors at their running load the same as direct connected motors. present illustration of the improvement is in connection with a three-phase motor starter and is designed to close the motor circuits in such a manner that the overload of starting will be diverted from the fuses and that upon the cessation of the load the paralleling means may be removed from the switches, which in the initial movement of closing the circuit were placed in their proper positions. In a device for start-ing such a motor it is desirable that the paralleling means shall normally tend to move away from the main switches while these are in their circuit-closing positions and that the paralleling means for the fuses shall only be held in their shunting positions by the hand of the operator. From the above description of the device illustrated, it will be seen that after the main switch and the auxiliary switch have been moved into position to close the circuits, the paralleling means will move away from the main switch responsive to the action of the springs 48.

In the form of the invention herein illustrated it is intended that the auxiliary switch shall closeupon the main switch and establish a circuit around the fuse and through the paralleling element 44 prior to the closing of the line circuit. For effecting the movement just referred to, an actuating element for the main switches will have such relation'to an actuating element for the auxiliary switches that the proper sequence and interdependence of movements will be effected. In the present illustration the ac tuating yoke 33 for the main switches lies below the actuating yoke 47, for the auxiliary switches and has a portion located in the path of movement of a portion of the yoke for the auxiliary switch. The auxiliary switch 47 is shown provided with a depending engaging lug 51, for engaging the upper surface of the yoke 33. \Vhen both yokes are at their extreme upper positions, these portions'will be in engagement and they will also be in engagement when both yokes are at the extreme of their lower position.

An 0 eratin r lever 52Lis provided for actuating the yokes. This lever is shown carried by a support 53, formed by one side of the top plate 11. The lower edge of the le-- ver is intended to engagethe top of the yoke 47 for moving this yoke downwardly against the resistance of the springs 48 and for concurrentl moving the yoke 33 also downwardly. n this present description terms of direction have been'used to indicate movements of the parts, these directions of movement being assumed by the. parts in the positions illustrated in th awings, although in most insulations ofth switch box the base plate 10 of the casing will assume a osition in a vertical plane. .The parts being in the positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and. 5, where both the switches, the main and the auxiliary, are in their idle position and these two switches normally closed together, a downward movement of the operating lever will cause both switches to move in unison, and clomd, toward the base plate and will close the line circuits, bringing the parts intothe starting position illustrated in Fig. 3. In this position'the main switches will be held by means of the springs 40 and hinge members 39. The auxiliary switches, however, will; be held in theirclosed positions by the actuating lever which is held by the hand of the operator. W'hen either the judgment of the operator or indicating devices which he may employ indicate that the temporary overload upon the circuit has ceased sufiiciently to permit the current to safely flow through the fuses, he will permit the lever to rise, which will then permitthe auxiliary switches to break circuit with the main switches and rise responsive to the action of the springs 48 and move the parts to the running position illustrated in Fig. 4i.

It is desirable in some situations that the main switches be held from movement toward the closed position independently of the auxiliary switches. To effect these concurrent movements a lock or spring catch 54, is carried by the cross-bar 47 in such a position that it will enga e the c'ross-bar'33 (see Fig. 5) and prevent independent downward movement of the cross-bar 33. When, however, the parts assume the position illustrated in Fig. 3, the catch 54 will be tripped by means of a boss 55, carried by the top plate 11. The spring catch in Fig. 4 is in a position to pass by and again engage the cross-bar 33 when such cross-bar moves to its outward position.

In case the auxiliary switches and their actuating mechanism should move slug-' gishly, or fail in their movement, it will be necessary for the operator to ositively withdraw these switches to their idle position and this without a moments delay. F or effecting this positive movement the cross-bar a? is provided with a nose 56, for

the engagement of the lug, here shown as a pin 57 carried by the operating lever so that a positive upward movement of the lever from the Fig. 3 position to the Fig. i position will effect the openingof the auxiliary or paralleling switch.

The parts being in the position illustrated in Figs.- 4 and 2, the running posit-ion, and it being desired to interrupt the current and stop the motorythe operating handle will be raised and a lug in the form of a pin 58, carried by the operating handle, will engage a nose 59, carried by the yoke 33 and positively move the main switches from the Fig. 4t position to the Fig. 5' and Fig. 1 position, which is the 05 or open position. The spring 40' and hinge plates 39 will assure the movement of the main switch to its final idle position in case the operator fails to move the operating lever to the completion of its movement. Although in practice the operator, in moving the handle from the Fig. a position, will give it a quick upward movement which will not only extend to. the point where it will raise the main switches, but will cause the pin 58 to pass from under the nose The operator after giving the lever a certain amount of overthrow as a re sult of the rapid opening of the main switch, will cause the handle to move to the posit-ion. it occupies in Fig. 5 with the pin 58' engagingthe end 60 of the nose 59. The natural springiness of the parts, together with the friction of the contact will hold this handle in the position just mentioned and it may readilybe moved into the position illustrated in Fig. 4 when occasion requires the closing of the circuit. The handle in the position just described acts as a visuai indicator to show that the switch is open.

In Fig. (i is illustrated dia rammatically this improved starter connect with a threephase motor. The line wires 61, 62, and 63, connected to the binding posts 17, 17 17, are assumed to be connected with a three-phase generator not shown. The line wires 64, 65, and 66, connected to the binding posts 18, 18, 18, lead to the three-phase motor 67..

I Although but one embodiment of the invention is illustrated and specifically described, yet it will be apparent that the invention may be used inother situations and with other environment and that we do not purpose limiting ourselves to this one form.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

1. The combination with a running switch embodying a movable member having a fuse for carrying the running ioad, of a starting switch embodying a conductor movable independently of the said running switch movable member for carrying the startin load, and mechanism for actuating. the sai switches.

2. The combination with a switch having a pair of contacts, a fuse-holder in circuit with the contacts, of a pair of line-connected contacts for the engagement of the said switch contacts, a second pair of contacts in circuit with the said switch contacts, and a pair of contacts for engaging the second pair of switch contacts, and a conductor connecting the last-recited contacts.

3'. A starter for a, three-phase motor comprising a closer for each of the motor circuits embodying a movable member having a fuse, and means embodying an element of large carrying capacity relative to the fuse for paralleling and shunting the fuse.

4. In a starter for a three-phase motor, the combination with a closer for each of the motor circuits embodyinga fuse, of an element for paralleling the fuse, means for holding the paralleling element normally out of circuit, and manually-operative means for actuating the paralleling element.

In a starting switch, the combination with a switch comprising a movable portion having a fuse and a base, of an auxiliary switch embodying a movable portion having a conductor of larger carrying capacity thansaid fuse for paralleling and shunting the said fuse.

6. In a device of the characterspecified, the combination with a switch, including a fusible element and means for positively holding the switch in its open and its closed position, of an auxiliary switch for'paralleling the fuse and means for normally holding the auxiliary switch open, and manuallycontrolled means for closing the auxiliary switch. i

7. 'lhecombination with a main switch and an auxiliary switch, of a yoke carrying each switch, the yoke for the main switch being located in the path of movement of the yoke for the auxiliary switch, and an actuator operable upon the yoke of the auxiliary switch.

8. In a starting switch, the combination with a main switch embodying a base memher and amovable member and a reciprocatory yoke carrying the movable member,

of an auxiliary switch and a'reciprocatory yoke carrying the same, the yoke of the main switch being located in the path of movement of the yoke of the auxiliary switch in the movement of the latter switch toward the said base, a locking connection between the yokes for holding the main switch from movement toward the base independently of the auxiliary switch, and means for tripping such look upon the completion of the closing of both switches.

9. The combination with a main switch embodying a base member and a fuse-older movable toward and from the base for closing and opening the circuit, of an auxiliary switch movable toward and from the main switch for closing and opening a shunt for thereafter movin around the fuse-holder, means for positively holding the main switch open and close elastically-yieldable means for holding the auxiliary switch away .from the main switch when the latter is closed, an actuator having amplitude of movementto permit the sepa- -ration of the switches and to move the auxmeans operable upon both switches and timed for causing the auxiliary switch to engage and parallel the main switch and -the main switch to its circuit-closing position, and means operable upon both switches and timed for positively opening the auxiliary switch and the main switch in sequence.

11. In a starting switch, the combination with a main switch, of an auxiliary switch an actuator having connection with the main switch and the auxiliary switch and timed for closing the auxiliary switch upon the main switch and subsequently closing themain switch, and timed for opening the main switch after the completion of the opening movement of the auxiliary switch.

12. In a starter for a three-phase motor,

the combination with a pair of line contacts for each motor circuit, of a frame reciprocatory toward and from such contacts, a fuse-holder and a pair of contacts in circuit therewith carried by the frame for each motor circuit respectively and located in position to register with the line contacts, a frame reciprocatory toward and from the first-mentioned frame, means carried by the second frame and located in position to close circuit with and parallel the respective fuse-holders, means for moving the sec ond frame intoposition to cause the paralleling of the said fuses and for moving both frames into position to close the motor circuits.

13. The combination with a main switch embodying a fuseholder, of an auxiliary switch for paralleling the fuse-holder, elastically-yieldable means for separating the switches, and a manually-controlled actuator for closing said switches one upon the other a inst the resistance of said elastically-yie dable separating means and having a range of movement to enable it to close the main switch.

14. The combination with a main switch, of an auxiliary switch for paralleling this, means for normally holding the switches separated, and a manually-controlled actuafor for closing the switches one upon the other against the resistance of the separating means.

15. The combination with a switch base embodying a pair of line contacts, of a circuit closer, and a fuse-holder having contacts for engaging the line contacts, and a circuit-closer for'completing in arallel the circuit from the'line contacts t .rough the said circuit-closer and fuse-holder.

16. The combination with a pair of line contacts, ofa fused switch, a paralleling switch, means for separating the paralleling switch from the fused switch while the fused switch is in circuit with the line contacts, means for separating the'fused switch from the line contacts when such switch is out of circuit with the paralleling switch, and means for bringin the fused switch into circuit with the line contacts when such switch is in circuit with the paralleling switch.

17. The combination with a pair of line contacts, of a fused switch, a paralleling switch, means for shifting the fused. switch into circuit with-the line contacts when such switch is in circuit with the paralleling switch, means for shifting the paralleling switch into and out of contact with the fused switch, means for separating the paralleling switch from the fused swltch while the fused switch is in circuit with the line contacts, and meansfor separating the fused switch from the line cont-acts when such switch is out of circuit with the paralleling switch.

18-. The combination with a pair of line contacts, of a paralleling switch, a fused switch located between the said line contacts and the paralleling switch, means for supporting and guiding the paralleling switch for permitting the same to move toward and from the hue contacts, means for supporting and guiding the fused switch for permitting the same to move toward and from the aralleling switch and toward and from the ine contacts, and actuating mech-' anism for said switches located and timed for shifting the fused switch into circuit with the line contacts when such switch is in circuit with the paralleling switch, shifting the-paralleling switch into and out of contact with the fused switch, separating the paralleling switch from the fused switch while the fused switch is, in circuit with the line contacts and separating the fused switch from the line contacts when such switch is out of circuit with the paralleling switch.

19. In athree-phase motor starter, the combination with a pair of contacts for each motor circuit, of a paralleling switch for each pair of contacts, a fused switch located between each pair of contacts and the; paralleling switch associated therewith, means for supporting and guiding the paralleling switches for permitting the same to move toward and from the respective contacts, means for supporting and guiding the fused switches for permitting the same to respectively move toward and from the paralleling switches associated therewith and to ward and from the pairs of contacts associated therewith, and actuating mechanism for said switches located and timed for shifting the fused switches into circuit with the pairs of contacts when such switches are in circuit with the paraileling switches, shifting the paralleling switches into and out of contact with the fused switches, separating the paralleling switchesv from the fused switches while the fused switches are in circuit with the pairs contacts, and separating the fused switches from the line contacts, when such switches are out of circuit with the paraiieiing switches.

20. In a starting device, the combination with a switch, an actuator carrying the switch and provided with a nose, of a lever provided wit-h a pin for engaging the nose and shifting the actuator, the end of the nose and the pin being located in such relative positions that overthrow of the lever will cause the pin to pass beyond the end of the nose and into position to support the lever therehy In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALPHA H. KLING. BRYSON D. HORTQN.

Witnesses:

A. S. GUERIN, H. A. LrcH'rwARor. 

